10 Key Questions to Evaluate Your Microsoft Partner for a Business Central Implementation

Deploying Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) requires a reliable partner. Your current partner may have implemented your legacy system (GP or NAV) successfully, but that doesn’t guarantee they’re the best choice for BC.

If you’re facing support issues or doubting their BC expertise, it might be time to reassess your partnership. 

They say, “Change is the only constant,” but not all companies embrace it or invest in growth. If a partner is simply not talking about or educating you about new solutions and the future of your system, they are leaving you unprepared for a rapidly evolving market. Businesses need a forward-thinking advisor to navigate today’s challenges. Without this guidance, companies risk falling behind competitors. 

If you’re happy with your current partner, that’s great! But if you’re unsure and need guidance, here are some essential questions to ask when evaluating your current or potential new partner for a Business Central implementation. 

1. What is your experience with Business Central implementations? 

Understanding their experience helps gauge their expertise and familiarity with the specific challenges and nuances of Business Central. This ensures they can handle your project efficiently. Even if they implemented your GP or NAV system, Business Central is a different platform with its own complexities.

2. Can you provide case studies or references from previous Business Central projects?

Case studies and references offer insights into their past performance and success rates. They also provide a way to verify their claims and get feedback from other clients. This is important to ensure their current capabilities align with your needs.

3. How do you handle data migration from legacy systems like GP or NAV to Business Central?

Data migration is an integral part of the implementation process. Knowing their approach and experience with migrating data from systems like GP or NAV ensures they can manage this complex task without data loss or corruption.

4. What is your approach to training and support post-implementation?

Ongoing support and training are crucial for the successful adoption of Business Central. This question helps you understand their commitment to helping your team become proficient with the new system. The level of support and training required for Business Central might differ from GP or NAV. At TMC, we offer comprehensive training and support, ensuring your team is well-prepared to use Business Central effectively. Our Business Process Review (BPR) methodology helps identify areas for improvement and provides tailored recommendations to optimize your workflows.

5. How do you stay updated with the latest Business Central features and updates?

A partner who stays current with the latest updates and features can provide better solutions and keep your system optimized. This shows their dedication to continuous improvement and staying ahead of industry trends. It also reveals their ability to adapt and grow with new technologies. 

6. What is your project management methodology?

Understanding their project management approach helps you assess their ability to deliver the project on time and within budget. It also gives you an idea of how they handle communication, risk management, and problem-solving. TMC employs a structured project management methodology, including our Business Process Review, to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation. This approach helps us understand your unique business processes and tailor the implementation to meet your specific needs.

7. How do you ensure the security and compliance of our data during and after the implementation?

Security and compliance are critical, especially when dealing with sensitive business data. This question ensures that your partner has robust measures in place to protect your data. Security standards and compliance requirements may have changed since your GP or NAV implementation.

8. Can you customize Business Central to fit our specific business needs?

Every business has unique requirements. Knowing your partner’s capability to customize Business Central ensures the solution will be tailored to your specific needs, enhancing its effectiveness. The Right Partner should have in-depth knowledge of Business Central’s capabilities to customize it to fit your requirements. TMC excels in customizations due to our extensive industry experience. Having been in business for many years, we’ve worked with a wide range of industries and have a breadth of talent with industry-specific expertise, allowing us to offer customized solutions that fit your business needs.

9. What is your pricing model, and what does it include?

Understanding their pricing model helps you budget for the project and avoid any hidden costs. It also clarifies what services and support are included in their fees.

10. How do you handle unexpected issues or changes in project scope?

Flexibility and problem-solving skills are essential for a smooth implementation. This question helps you understand their approach to managing unforeseen challenges and changes. Knowing how they handle unexpected issues ensures they can adapt to any situation. 

 Conclusion 

Choosing the right partner for your Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central implementation is a critical decision that can significantly impact your business’s future. By asking the right questions, you can ensure that your partner has the experience, expertise, and commitment to guide you through a successful transition. If you’re uncertain about your current partner’s ability to handle this critical project, don’t hesitate to explore other options. Remember, in today’s rapidly changing business environment, having the right advisor by your side is key to staying ahead of the competition.